(Brampton) --- David Szwarc, Interim Commissioner of Social Services, is
pleased to welcome Janet Menard to the position of Director of Ontario Works
in Peel, effective Aug. 1, 2001.

Ms. Menard joins Peel from a position with the Ministry of Community and
Social Services, where she has spent the past four years working on the
Business Transformation Project (BTP). She was seconded to the BTP from
her position of Director of Ontario Works in Halton Region, which she held
for 12 years. Ms. Menard brings with her 25 years of experience in various
positions in social services, including caseworker, family court worker,
supervisor, and implementation manager of the Service Delivery Model Technology
for social assistance.

"I'm thrilled to welcome Ms. Menard to our Ontario Works team,"
says David Szwarc, Interim Commissioner of Social Services. "Her many
years of experience in the social services field and her enthusiasm and
professionalism will be great assets to the Region of Peel as we move towards
a new model of service delivery and forge through the changes that are ahead
in the municipal delivery of human services."

Ms. Menard will be responsible for the overall management of the Region's
Ontario Works division, which employs over 300 people and provides services
to approximately 10,000 people every month.

"I'm very excited about joining a team of people who have such an
excellent reputation across the province and the country," says Ms.
Menard. "Peel is a leader in progressive and innovative programs, and
I'm proud to have been chosen to be a part of this team."

Ontario Works in Peel provides employment, financial and social support
services to residents of Peel to help them attain as independent and stable
a role in the community as possible.